Printing machine



P 1958 J. J. PROHASKA 2,851,944

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invenfpr James (LPI'OIZO ska ig M Sept. 16, 1958 J. J. PROHASKA PRINTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 9, 1955 112 were for James J-Prokaska 3g. I, /0

United States Patent PRINTING MACHINE James J. Prohaska, Cicero, Ill.

Application September 19, 1955, Serial No. 534,974

7 Claims. (Cl. 101-44) This invention relates to a printing machine and more particularly to a semi-automatic printing machine adapted to imprint legends such as ingredient phrases on food packages or the like.

In the past, at larger food packaging plants, a large inventory of printed wrappers, bags, and the like have been required for use on substantially the same product because of the Government labeling requirements that ingredient phrases be printed thereon to describe the product contained in the package. Normally certain variations in mixtures may be made and in view of this, several ingredient phrases may be required for the same general product so that an inventory of bags or wrappers or the like must be maintained for any given product on which the different ingredient phrases are printed for each possible variation of said product. One such typical product is bologna which may be manufactured in accordance with food and drug specifications to have different combinations of generally the same ingredients but the law specifies that the several formulations each be identified on the label by the printing thereon of a specific ingredient phrase. Thus a plurality of bags having different ingredient phrases must be maintained for packaging bologna for shipment in inter-state commerce in order to accommodate the different possible mixtures which may be shipped under this one product designation. There are many other similar products, each of which heretofore has required the maintenance of a plurality of packages having somewhat diiferent ingredient phrases printed thereon for use on the one type of product.

The present invention eliminates this manifold inventory problem and makes possible the maintaining of a single supply of packaging material for any given product. The particular wrapper for each product is designed to have a blank space left thereon for the printing of an ingredient phrase. The machine of this invention is adapted to receive such a wrapper and by means of a conventional self-inking stamp printing device making use of an inexpensive rubber block having the specific ingredient phrase required, prints the proper ingredient phrase on the packaging wrappers immediately before use.

This invention provides a semi-automatic printing machine adapted to be power driven to effect the printing of the ingredient phrase on a given wrapper. The stamp printing device holds the required rubber printing block against an inking pad and, upon actuation of the machine, causes the rubber block to be pressed against the wrapper being printed to imprint the desired phrase on the wrapper. As the stamping mechanism is retracted whereby to return the rubber printing block to its inking pad, a kickout means is rendered operative to drive the printed wrapper from the printing station. Thereafter, a succeeding blank wrapper may be inserted under the printing device and the operation repeated. The kick-out means is automatically driven in timed relation to the movement of the printer as the stamping means starts on its return stroke after completing each printing step.

The preferred embodiment of this invention is shown in the drawings wherein;

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the mechanism showing the general arrangement of the parts with the table portion partly broken away;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic showing of the pressure fluid system for controlling and driving the various parts of the mechanism with the stamp printer in the printing position;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the machine partly in section and with the cover removed;

Figure 4 is a view taken on line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view taken on line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a View taken on line 66 of Figure 3; and

Figure 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of Figure 6.

The printing device 10 of this machine may take the form of a conventional cam actuated self-inking stamp printer. The printer has a rubber printing pad 11 carried on a relatively reciprocably and rotatably mounted carrier 12 which in one position urges the pad upwardly against an inking means 13 and which in its other operative position urges the pad downwardly against the bag to be printed with the ingredient phrase or the like. The carrier 12 is driven with the reciprocable arbor 14 by means of its mounting on pin 15 that has outwardly extending ends for a purpose to be described below. The pin 15' is carried downwardly when the arbor is driven down and the carrier is made to react against the frame 16 which supports the inking means 13, the frame 16 being mounted for vertical adjustment on a stationary part of the machine. The relative motion of the parts and the reaction of pin 15 against frame 16, causes the carrier to turn through as it moves from its upper position shown in full lines in Figure 3 to the dotted line position thereshown, all as is well known in such stamp printing devices.

The arbor 14 is resiliently centered in its mounted position on the lower end of a rod 20 by means of springs 21 and 22, the rod being adapted to be driven in first one direction and then the other to provide the motion for operating the stamp printer as described above. The spring 22 reacts against the fixed bearing 23 on the bottom end of rod 20 to urge the arbor upwardly on the rod 20 whereby to cause the printing pad 11 to bear lightly against inking means 13 while spring 21 is trapped between the arbor and an adjustable stop 55 fixedly positioned on rod 20.

Rod 20 is adapted to be driven by means of a piston in cylinder 24 when pressure fluid is admitted thereto and when rod 20 is driven downwardly carrier 12 and the printing pad are driven from the inking station to'the printing position. Spring 21 drives arbor 14 and carrier 12 downwardly with just the right pressure to accomplish the desired printing. After the printing has been accomplished, arbor 14 is lifted by reversing the motion of piston rod 20 to return the printing pad to the inking means.

The piston in cylinder 24 may be driven by any available source of pressure fluid but preferably compressed air is used for this purpose as it is usually available in all packing houses of any size. The pressure fluid is fed to the cylinder 24 when a valve 30 is tripped by the operator and fluid under a driving pressure is delivered to cylinder 24 through line 31 while the valve is held open. Simultaneously, the space on the other side of the piston in cylinder 24 is vented. Upon releasing the valve 30, the pressure fluid in conduit 31 is vented and high pressure fluid is delivered into conduit 32 to drive the piston upwardly in cylinder 24 to return the printing pad to the inking station.

The bag or other package to be printed is placed under the stamp printing device on table 40 at the printing is being returned to the inking station.

station. Suitable guide means including the adjustable rear guide 41 which is fixed in a desired position on the table by thumb screw 42 and a second movably mounted guide 43 positioned are right angle with respect to guide 41, serve to define the printing station and locate the package-properly to position'theblank space for an ingredient phrase or the like under'the printer. The movably mounted guide 43 is carried'on'a piston rod 44 that has a piston thereon which is driven rapidly in one direction when fluid is admitted into cylinder 45 through condu1t '46 to drive a printed package from the printing station, as will appear more fully below. The entire assembly for supporting and driving guide "43 is adjustably mounted on a slide 47 that is longitudinally rnovably supported against the underside of table 40 by the thumb screw 48, the slide being guided in its movement Iby the thumb'screw'engaging inslot 49 and by bearings 50 integral with the wall of cylinder 45 engaging against theside walls of aperture 51 in table 40.

with the structure described above in the inactive position wherein the printing pad rests against the inking pad, and after a package has been'placed in the position defined by guides 41 and 43, the valve '30 is opened to vent line 32 and delivers pressure fluid into line 31. Th s drives the printing means downwardly as above explainedto cause the inked printing pad to engage the package. Upon completion of the printing stroke, valve 30 is actuated to vent line 31 and energize line 32, whereupon the piston in cylinder 24 is driven upwardly and the printing means is retracted. Substantially simultaneously with the delivery of fluid into line 32, pressure fluid is delivered to conduit 52 which is in series with normally closed valve 53 and line 46 leading to the kick-out drive cylinder 45. Valve 53 is actuated by a trigger 54 that is engaged by the adjustable but fixed stop 55 on rod so that the valve 53 is opened when stop 55 moves upwardly under and past the position of trigger 54 whereby to pass fluid from line 52 through valve 53 into line 46.

When pressure fluid is delivered behind the piston in cylinder 45, rod 44 and guide 43 are rapidly driven against the previously printed package to automatically eject it from the printing station as the printing pad 11 During the return stroke of rod 20, the trigger 54- will be held in its actuated position while stop 55 passes the trigger position, however, this will allow a suificient time for the ejecting guide to be actuated. The valve 53 is actuated on the down stroke of rod 20 but, of course, lines 32, 52, and 46 are vented through valve 30 when line 31 is energized to drive the printing means downwardly and thus the ejector is operatedonly upon the'upward or retracting stroke of the rod '20. The ejecting means, therefore, is rendered operative only in timed relation to the retracting movement of the printing means.

In some instances, an apertured presser shoe is carried on the under side of the printing means to engage the package being printed to flatten it out in a proper manner to receive the printing pad. This structure is best seen in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6. Referring to Figures 3 and 6, it will be seen that the open bottom side of the inverted U shaped relatively stationary frame 16 has spacer bars 60 connected thereto at the outside edges thereof. The presser shoe'member 61 is carried from said bars 60 by means of the leaf springs 62 trapped between the upper surfaces of bars 60 and cap members 63 best seen in Figure 7, which are removably fixed to suitable flanges integral with the front and back portions of the shoe 61. The trapped leaf springs 62 are disposed ina manner to cause the shoe 61 to float on the bars 60 at about the same or slightly lower level than the plane of the bottom of the relatively stationary frame 16 of the printing means and it will be noted that the integral flanges and cap members 63 define the aperture 64 in plate "61 through which the relatively stationary frame 16 and the printing means may pass to engage the package to be printed.

The presser shoe also carries a pair of leaf springs 65 on its upper side which springs are disposed one at each of the opposite edges of the shoe and at about to trapped springs 62. Referring to Figures 1 and 5, it is noted that the springs 65 have a somewhat arched shape and their ends are engaged -under hook means 66 integral with shoe 61. Springs 65 are adapted to be engaged at about the center of their arched portions by the extending ends of pin 15 when the printing pad 11 has about reached the end of its stroke and as the ends of pin 15 push against springs 65, the presser shoe is resiliently driven before the printing means to engage the package situated within guides 41 and 43 which define the printing station. The presser shoe engages and flattens the package to be printed just before the printing pad engages the packaging material. Thepackage is thus forcibly flattened under the tension of springs 65 whereby a more perfect'striking of the printing pad can be accomplished. Such a presser shoe has been found to be a desirable adjunct when printing'certain of the heavier types of paper -packages,'but it is usually not required when receiving cellophane and the thin paper types of packaging materials.

After the printing step has been completed and the driving means is reversed, arbor 14- is lifted and, first, the spring pressure through springs 65 is released and then bars 60 through springs 62 lift the presser'shoe off of the printed package as the return stroke progresses. When the floating pressure shoe has been raised off of the printed packaging material, the trigger 54 may be timed to be tripped whereby to eject the printed package material from under the stamp printer as above described.

Rubber printing blocks having the standard ingredient phrases for any given product as manufactured, or for the various different products ,being packaged, may be provided. These printing blocks are very inexpensive and easy to procure so that a desired phrase can be easily set up even 'while a given product is being manufactured. When the product has been completed and is ready to be packaged, the proper printing block is inserted in the stamp printing device and a suflicient supply of wrappers may then be printed up to handle the particular run of that product. Thus, only a single wrapper inventory for that particular product is required whereby a considerable saving in inventory control and investment is realized. 7

The printer of this invention is preferably provided with ink of a well known type that is quick drying. The ink pad may be wetted with the desired ink and after the selected printing pad has been inserted in the printer, the device is ready for operation.

In normal-operation, the stamp printer is held spaced somewhat above the table 40 with sufficient clearance to easily position a blank wrapper at the printing station defined by guides 41 and 43. As soon as the blank is so situated, the valve 30 is tripped either by hand or preferably by the foot of the operator whereupon the pressure fluid is delivered through line 31 to cylinder 24 to drive the stamp printer 10 downwardly to causethe ingredient or other phrase to be printed on the wrapper. In the instances where the floating presser foot 61 is attached to the printer, this first engages the wrapping material to flatten it out and thereupon the printer is operative through the aperture 64 ofthe presser foot to stamp the desired information'on the wrapper. After the printing operation'has been completed, the operator releases valve 30 and it is returned to its normal position whereupon line 31 is vented and line 32 becomes filled with pressure 7 fluid to return the printing device to 'its initial position.

valve 53. When valve 53 is opened, pressure fluid flows from line 32 through conduit 52, valve 53 and conduit 46 into cylinder 45 to actuate the ejecting guide 43 to drive the printed wrapper from under the printer to clear the machine for a subsequent operation whereupon the printing cycle may be repeated as described above.

It is apparent that modifications of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art which will fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A semi-automatic printing machine including a selfinking rubber stamp printing device for printing bags, cartons, film like packages and the like, comprising a driven means for supporting said printing device, said device being driven with said means but being mounted .for limited reciprocal movement with respect thereto,

resilient means to normally hold said device centered with respect to its mounting on said driven means, a piston on said driven means, a cylinder cooperating with said piston, means to supply a fluid under pressure, valve means to control the delivery of fluid to said cylinder to drive said piston first in one direction and then in the other, a first conduit to deliver fluid on one side of said piston to drive it in one direction, a second conduit to deliver fluid on the other side of said pistotn to drive it in the other direction, said piston being driven in said one direction to effect a printing operation, and being driven in the other direction to return the self-inking rubber stamp to its initial position, a third conduit connected to said second conduit, automatically operated valve means in said third conduit, said automatically operated valve being actuated by means timed to operate after the driven means has begun its movement in said other direction, a fluid driven ejector means for driving a printed bag or the like from under the printing device, and said third conduit being connected to said ejector whereby fluid is delivered to the ejector in time with the motion of the printer to eject a printed bag as the printing device is returned in said other direction to its initial position.

2. A semi-automatic printing machine including a self-inking rubber stamp printing device for printing bags, cartons, film like packages and the like, comprising a driven rod means for supporting said printing device, said device being driven with said means but being mounted for limited reciprocal movement with respect thereto, resilient means to normally hold said device centered with respect to its mounting on said driven means, a piston on said driven rod means, a cylinder cooperating with said piston, means to supply a fluid under pressure, first valve means to control the delivery of fluid to said cylinder to drive said piston first in one direction and then in the other, a first conduit to deliver fluid on one side of said piston to drive it in one direction, a second conduit to deliver fluid on the other side of said piston to drive it in the other direction, said piston being driven in said one direction to effect a printing operation, and being driven in the other direction to return the self-inking rubber stamp to its initial position, a third conduit connected to said second conduit, automatically operated second valve means in said third conduit, operating means fixed to said rod means for engaging and operating said second valve means after the driven means has begun its movement in said other direction, a fluid driven ejector means for driving a printed bag or the like from under the printing device, and said third conduit being connected to said ejector whereby fluid is delivered to the ejector in time with the motion of the printer to eject a printed bag as the printing device is returned in said other direction to its initial position.

3. A semi-automatic printing machine including a selfinking rubber stamp printing device for printing bags, cartons, film like packages and the like, comprising a driven means moving in a substantially vertical direction for supporting said printing device, said device being driven with said means but being mounted for limited reciprocal movement with respect thereto, resilient means to normally hold said device centered with respect to its mounting on said driven means, a piston on said driven means, a cylinder cooperating with said piston, means to supply a fluid under pressure, valve means to control the delivery of fluid to said cylinder to drive said piston first in a downward direction and then in an upward direction, a first conduit to deliver fluid on one side of said piston to drive it downwardly, a second conduit to deliver fluid on the other side of said piston to drive it upwardly, said piston being driven downwardly to effect a printing operation, and being driven upwardly to return the self-inking rubber stamp to its initial position, ejector means for driving a printed bag or the like from under the printing device, fluid means to drive said ejector, a conduit to deliver fluid to said ejector drive, said last named conduit being connected to said second conduit to receive pressure fluid therefrom, a valve in said last named ejector fluid delivery conduit, and means to open said valve after the printing device has started on its return movement.

4. A semi-automatic printing machine including a self-inking rubber stamp printing device for printing bags, cartons, film like packages and the like, comprising a driven means moving in a substantially vertical direction for supporting said printing device, said device being driven with said means but being mounted for limited reciprocal movement with respect thereto, resilient means to normally hold said device centered with respect to its mounting on said driven means, a piston on said driven means, a cylinder cooperating with said piston, means to supply a fluid under pressure, valve means to control the delivery of fluid to said cylinder to drive said piston first in a downward direction and then in an upward direction, a first conduit to deliver fluid on one side of said piston to drive it downwardly, a second conduit to deliver fluid on the other side of said piston to drive it upwardly, vent means cooperating with said valve to alternately relieve the pressure in said conduit when the other is supplied with pressure fluid, said piston being driven downwardly to effect a printing operation while said second conduit is vented and being driven upwardly to return the self-inking rubber stamp to its initial position, a third conduit connected to said second conduit to be filled with pressure-fluid and vented therewith, automatically operated valve means in said third conduit, said automatically operated valve being actuated by means fixed to said driven means, a fluid driven ejector means for driving a printed bag or the like from under the printing device, and said third conduit being connected to said ejector whereby fluid is delivered to the ejector in time with the motion of the printer to eject a printed bag as the printing device moves upwardly to its initial position.

5. A semi-automatic printing machine including a selfinking rubber stamp printing device for printing bags, cartons, film like packages and the like, comprising a driven means for supporting said printing device, said device being driven with said means but being mounted for limited reciprocal movement with respect thereto, resilient means to normally hold said device centered with respect to its mounting on said driven means, said device including a resiliently mounted pressure shoe, a piston on said driven means, a cylinder cooperating with said piston, means to supply a fluid under pressure, valve means to control the delivery of fluid to said cylinder to drive said piston first in one direction and then in the other, a first conduit to deliver fluid on one side of said piston to drive it in one direction, a second conduit to deliver fluid on the other side of said piston to drive it in the other direction, said piston being driven in said one direction to drive said pressure shoe against said bag or the like and then effect a printing operation, and being driven in 'th'e other "direction to' return'the self-inking rubber stamp toitsinitial position an'd'permit the disengagement 'ofthe pressure'shoe fromsaid bag or the like, a thirdcon duit connected to said second conduit, automatieally operated valvemeansin said third conduit, said automatically operated valve being actuated by means timed to operate after the'driven means has begun its movement in said other direction, a fluid driven ejector means for driving'a printed bag or the like from under the printing device, and said third conduit being connectedto saidejector whereby fluid is delivered to the 'ejector'in time'with the motion of the printer to eject a printed bag'asthe printing device is returned in said other direction to its initial position.

- 6. A semi-automaticprinting machine including a selfinking rubber stamp printing device for printing bags, cartons, film like packages andthe like, comprising a driven means for supportingsaid printing device, said device being drivenivithsaid means but being mounted for limited reciprocal movement with respect thereto, saiddevice'including a relatively fixed element and a movable stamp carriage, resilient means to normally hold'said device centered'with respect to its mounting on said driven means, said device including a resiliently mounted pressure shoe, said shoe being mounted on said fixed element, a resilient engaging means disposed in a position between said shoe and said movable stamp carriage and fixed engaging means cooperating between the carriage and resilient engaging means, a piston on said driven means, a cylinder cooperating with said piston, means to supply a fluid under pressure, valve means to control the delivery of fluid to said cylinder to drive said piston first in one direction and then in the other, a first conduit to deliver fluid on one side of said piston to drive it in one direction, a second conduit to deliver fluid on the other side of said piston to drive it in the other direction, said piston being driven in said one direction to cause said stamp carriage to drive the fixed engaging means against the resilient engaging means on said shoe whereby to drive said shoe against said bag or the like and then eflect a printing operation, and being driven in the other direction to return the self-inking r'ubber 'stampto its'initial. position andrpermit the diseng'a'gem'ent of the'pressu're shoe from'said bag or' the like, a third conduit "connected to said second conduit, automatically operated 'valve means in said third conduit, sai'd automatically operated'valve being actuated by means timed to operate after the driven means has begun its movement in said other direction, a fluid driven ejector means for'driving a printed bag or the like from under the printing device, and said third conduit being connected to said ejector whereby fluid is delivered to the ejector in time with the'motion of the printer to eject a printed bag as the printing device is returned in'said other direction'to its initial position.

7. A'semiautomatic printing machine including a selfinking rubber stamp printing device for printing bags, cartons, film-like packages and the like, comprising a driven means oscillating ina substantially straight line direction 'for supporting said printing device, said devicebeing oscillated with said driven means but being mounted for limited reciprocal movement'with respect thereto, resilient means to normally hold said device centered with respect to its mounting on said driven -means,means to'supply fluid under pressure, fluid pressure actuated means for oscillating said driven means,

said driven means being oscillated in one direction to effect a printing operation and being oscillated in a :generally' opposite direction to return the self-inking rubber stamp to its initial position, driven ejector means for driving a printed bag or the like from under the printing device, and pressure fluid actuated means to drive said ejector, said ejector drive means being driven from fluid supplied to said pressure actuated means and being timed 'to effect operation of the ejector during the oscillation of said'driven means in said opposite direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,881,578 Hinds Oct. 11, 1932 1,929,703 McDonough Oct. 10, 1933 2,443,779 Sanders et al. June 22, 1948 2,605.702 Thomas Aug. 5, 1952 

